Perth & Kinross: Aberfeldy Parkrun
Aberfeldy getting set to host Parkrun
Aberfeldy is edging closer to the finish line of hosting its own Parkrun – a global phenomenon bringing communities together to run 5k.
It will be the fourth Perth and Kinross venue for the event which takes place in parks and on trails across the world on Saturday mornings at 930am.
Currently Perth and Kinross hosts Parkruns at Loch Leven, Perth and Faskally Woods, with Junior Parkruns for children aged four to 14 held at Loch Leven, Perth and Crieff on Sunday mornings.
Feldy-Roo – set up during the Covid lockdown to deliver food to isolated residents – is seeking to set up and register a Parkrun in Aberfeldy.
Post-Covid Feldy-Roo continues to work in and around the Highland Perthshire town to improve the health and wellbeing of the community and recently launched the Feldy-Roo Fitness Trail.
Now it is hoped a Parkrun can take place on the trail which runs along the riverside.
On Monday, January 29, the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee was asked to grant funding towards the project.
The Highland Perthshire councillors – who sit on the committee – unanimously agreed to award £3400.
Councillors allocated £2800 towards the registration fee, with the remaining £600 for initial maintenance costs to help get things started.
Convener John Duff believes hosting a Parkrun fits in well with the Aberfeldy Healthiest Town project. The vision is to build a community where people can live well for longer.
The Highland Perthshire Conservative councillor told the committee: “This is an excellent example of community partnership working between Feldy-Roo and Aberfeldy Golf Club which owns this piece of land, formerly part of the golf course.
“To a great extent, this area has been allowed to rewild and it’s now a popular walking and exercising area. Feldy-Roo initially put money into the fitness trail from an award they won for their work during lockdown.
“This helped to lay down some paths which have been welcomed by those who use the area.
“The Parkrun initiative will also fit nicely into the Aberfeldy Healthiest Town project and the proposed Aberfeldy Sports Hub project.”
The total cost of the project is estimated to be £7300.
Feldy-Roo has also received £2,000 from the Basil Death Trust.